Self-powered drive means



Aug. 13, 1968 15 K P ET AL 3,396,585

SELF-POWERED DRIVE MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 27, 1966 Aug. 13, 1968 G. s. KAMPAS ET AL 3,396,585

SELF -POWERED DRI VE v MEANS Filed June 2'7, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORE 450242- 5. KAMPAY Q [.flW/Qf/VCE .5: W/SWHLL BY United States Patent 3,396,585 SELF-POWERED DRIVE MEANS George S. Kampas and Lawrence S. Wiswall, Pasadena, Calif, assignors to Magnastatic Corporation, Pasadena, Calif., a corporation of California Filed June 27, 1966, Ser. No. 560,421 8 Claims. (Cl. 74-352) This invention relates generally to self-powered drive means, and more particularly to mechanisms for driving apparatuses which require periodic recycling.

Many different types of automatic equipment have been introduced into our economy within the past several decades. As is well-known, life in the United States has changed from dependence upon an agricultural economy to dependence upon machines and apparatuses, Many such machines and apparatuses have been introduced into our homes such that todays housewife has many automatic appliances for performing the household chores.

Although there are many machines which require timing devices so as to initiate and terminate recycling functions, this is particularly true of machines such as recycling water softening devices. Such machines require the recycling to be initiated periodically and for such recycling function to continue for a predetermined period of time.

Prior timing devices have been electrically operated and have employed ordinary household current. However, this has usually required a relatively elaborate connection to the wiring of the home or other building, thereby requiring a skilled electrician to assist in an ordinary installation. That is, heretofore it has been necessary to employ a relatively expensive electrician to assist in the installation of a water softening device, in spite of the fact that the device itself is primarily associated with the water pipes in the building. Thus, in addition to the usual plumber, previous installations have also required an electrician.

The fact that prior water softening apparatuses have required complicated connection to the household wiring system has also made it necessary for the installer to obtain a local electrical permit in addition to the usual plumbing permit. That is, due to the fact that prior devices h-ave required such elaborate electrical connections there was concern for the electrical work meeting the standards set forth in municipal codes. This obviously resulted in the need for additional time and effort in obtaining the permits to install a water softening device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide selfpowered drive means for use with water softening apparatus and the like which does not require electrical connection to existing circuitry of any kind.

Another object of the present invention is to provide self-powered drive means for use with water softening apparatus as characterized above which includes its own source of electrical power so that all necessary electrical connections can be completed during the manufacture of the equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide self-powered drive means as characterized above which utilizes a drive spring which is periodically wound by an electric motor.

A further object of the present invention is to provide self-powered drive means as characterized above which eliminates the need for the usual hair spring normally found in timing devices of this type.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide self-powered drive means as characterized above which comprises a governor for controlling the dissipation of the energy in the drive spring, and means associated with the timing device for periodically energizing the drive motor for such spring.

3,396,585 Patented Aug. 13, 1968 A still further object of the present invention is to provide self-powered drive means as characterized above wh ch is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which we consider characteristic of our invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation-a1 view of self-powered dug/26153? according to the present invention;

' is a to Ian view 0 FIGURE 1; p p f the drive means of FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line 55 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line 66 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic showing of the electrical elements in the subject apparatus.

Llke reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown therein self-powered drive means 10 for associatron with recycling apparatus such as water softening means and the like. Such drive means 10, as Will hereinafter appear, is operable to periodically actuate the part cular apparatus, and then causes such actuation to continue for a predetermined period of time.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 2 of the drawings the sub ect drive means 10 comprises a support membef 14 formed with a through opening for receiving a fastenmg bolt 16, the latter receiving sleeves or spacers 18, 20 and 22 for retaining panel 24 and partition walls 26 and 28 in spaced relation as shown.

The numeral 30 identifies the power section of the drive means, the numeral 32 identifies power transmission means, and the numeral 34 identifies certain timing means, all of which cooperate to provide the desired result.

Power means 30 comprises a portable source 32 of electrical power which, as will hereinafter be explained, rs connected to electrically energizable motive power means or motor 34. The source of electrical power 32 must be selected in accordance with the size and type of motor 34 utilized in the subject apparatus. Motor 34 comprises a rotatable shaft which is suitably journaled within an appropriate opening in the support member 14 and which carries a drive gear 36. Adjacent said gear 36 is a gear member 38 which is fixed to a rotatable shaft 40, the latter of which is rotatably positioned within support member 14 and carries a gear member 42 on the opposite side thereof. For cooperation with gear member 42, another gear member 44 is provided on a shaft 46 which also extends through a suitable opening in support member 14. Each of shafts 40 and 46 is rotatably mounted Within support member 14 and partition wall 28.

Also mounted on shaft 46 for relation therewith is a ratchet gear 48 which, as shown most clear in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, cooperates with a pawl 50 rotatably attached to partition wall 28 by means of a pivot pin 52. An arcuately shaped biasing member 54 is also fastened to partition wall 28 by means of screw 56. Such biasing member is formed of spring steel and urges pawl 50 into engagement with ratchet gear 48 but permits such pawl to be moved so as to permit rotation of ratchet gear 48 as will hereinafter appear.

Shaft 46 extends through partition wall 28 and carries a spirally wound drive spring 58. Another shaft 47 is arranged continuously with shaft 46 and is rotatably mounted in partition wall 26. The drive spring 58 is attached to both of said shafts as will hereinafter be explained, and a gear member 60 is firmly secured to shaft 47.

Power transmission means 32 comprises a rotatable shaft 62 mounted in partition walls 26 and 28 and provided with gear members 64 and 66. Gear member 66, in turns, cooperates with a gear'member 68 on a rotatable shaft 70 which also carries a gear member 72. The latter gear member cooperates with gear member 74 which is fixed to shaft 76 and to a gear member 78. Gear member 78 is associated with gear members 80 and 82 which are individually fixed to rotatable shaft 84, the latter being rotatably mounted between the partition walls 26 and 28. Gear member 82 engages gear member 86 on a shaft 88 for rotation of a governor 90.

The aforedescribed gear train of power transmission means 32 is most clearly shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings and is operable to effectively change the speed of rotation of gear member 60 as it drives governor 90. Such governor may take substantially any desired form but is shown in the drawings as comprising an arcuately shaped member which rotates such that the concave portion thereof catches the surrounding air. This has a limiting or governing effect on the entire power transmission means as above described, and as operable in driving the timing means 34 as will hereinafter be described.

Timing means 34 comprises a drive gear 92 fixed to rotatable shaft 62, the latter extending through partition wall 26 and being suitably journaled therein. Said gear member 92 drives gear member 94 which is attached to a rotatable shaft also carrying gear members 96, 98 and 100. Gear member 98 meshes with a gear member 102 on a shaft 104 and gear members 96 and mesh respectively with gear members 106 and 108, also mounted on said shaft 104. Shaft 104 is further provided with a gear member 110 which cooperates with a gear member 112 fixed to a shaft 114. Also fixed to shaft 114 on the opposite side of panel 24 from gear member 112 is a rotatable dial 116 provided with suitable hourly indicia 118. An adjustment knob 120 is also secured to shaft 114 to permit adjustment of an actuator arm 122 as will hereinafter be explained.

Gear member 92 further drives a gear member 124 mounted on a shaft 126 which carries a splined sleeve or gear member 128. The latter cooperates with a gear member 130 which is fixed to a shaft 132 which extends through both partition walls 26 and 2 8, and is provided with a rearward portion having a cam member 134 mounted thereon by fastening nuts 136. Such cam is most clearly shown in FIGURE 4 and is rotated continuously with operation of the power transmission means 32 as will hereinafter be explained.

The aforementioned splined sleeve or gear member 128 also meshes with another gear member 138 which is mounted on a shaft carrying a gear member 140. The latter, as will hereinafter become more apparent, cooperates with a drive gear 142 which is formed with a cutout 142a for effecting intermittent driving of gear member 142 as will hereinafter become apparent.

Gear member 142 is further formed with a laterally offset cutout or tab 1420 to be engaged by another component. Said gear member 142 is mounted on a primary drive shaft 144 which extends through panel 24, partition walls 26 and 28 and support member 14 to the rear of the drive means 10.

Shaft 144 carries suitable cam members 146 which 'actuates valve members associated with the particular apparatus being driven. One such valve member is shown at 148, although it is realized that any number of such valves may be employed along with a corresponding number of actuating cams. That is, the rotation of drive shaft 144 provides the primary source of operation for the particular apparatus, and any appropriate device may be associated therewith in accordance with the particular apparatus to be driven. The valve member 148 to be actuated by a cam member 146 is typical for water softening apparatus.

Mounted on the panel 24 at the front of drive means 10 is a selector wheel 150 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 152 attached to panel 24. A snap ring 154 positioned within a suitable annular groove in shaft 152 is operable to retain selector wheel 150 in proper position. Such wheel is provided with a plurality of extensions or arms 150a to be engaged by an extension 122a of actuator arm 122.

Adjustably mounted in selector wheel 150 are seven adjustable tabs 156, one for each day of the Week as indicated by the indicia associated therewith. Each such adjustable tab is movable axially relative to shaft 152 to an inserted and retracted position.

Also mounted on the face of panel 24 is a cycling knob 158 which is firmly secured to shaft 144 which carries cam members 146 for direct actuation of the recycling apparatus. Such knob 158 has an indicator 158a inscribed thereon for cooperation with suitable start and service indicia.

Mounted on one side of drive means 10 is a bracket 160 which carries a switch 162 having an actuator arm 162a to be engaged by cam member 134 as will hereinafter appear. Mounted adjacent switch 162 is adjustable control means 164 which may take any one of a variety of forms. For instance, such control means may comprise a heater 164a and a bimetallic contactor 16% for cooperation with a stationary contact 1640 in controlling the length of time of operation of motor 34. Such arrangement will be hereinafter explained with reference to FIGURE 7 of the drawings.

The subject drive means operates generally as follows.

Energization of motor 34 winds drive spring 58 to a predetermined condition through gear members 36, 38, 42 and 44. Such gear train transmits the power from motor 34 to shaft 46. The innermost convolution of spiral torsion spring 58 is fixed, as by welding or the like, to shaft 46 so that rotation of shaft 46 causes winding of said spring. The outermost convolution of spring 58 is fixed to gear member 60 and shaft 47 so that relative rotation of the shafts 46 and 47 effectively stores energy in spring 58. Such energy does not immediately rotate shaft 47 due to the action of governor 90 which is connected to gear member 60 and shaft 47 through gear members 64, 66, 68, 72, 74, 78, 80, 82 and 86. This latter gear train is most clearly shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings and constitutes the power transmission means from shaft 47 to governor 90. As governor 90 is rotated, the resistance afforded by the air tends to control the speed at which such transmission or gear train can dispense the power in spring 58.

The energy from said drive spring also drives the timing means 34 through gear member 92 attached to shaft 62. The timing function is represented by rotation of dial 116 on shaft 114, both of which are driven from gear member 92 through gear members 94, 96 and 100, 98, 106 and 108, 102 and 110, and 112. Thus, as drive spring 58 rotates shaft 47, the dial 116 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. Such rotation is continuous and is at a rate corresponding to the indicia 118 shown on such dial. That is, the dial 116 is divided into the twenty-four hours of a day and hence the dial 116 makes one revolution every twenty-four hours.

The actuator 122 is formed with an opening 122k whereby one of the hour indicia 118 can be shown therethrough. In this manner, the timing mechanism is set to the desired time for initiating actuation of the recycling apparatus. By loosening the nut or knob 120, any one of the hours of the day or night can be set within the opening 12% so as to cause the drive means to be actuated at that time.

The gear 92, as above explained, also drives cam member 134 at a constant angular rate by virtue of the gear train comprising gear members 124, 126, 128 and 130. Since gear member 130 is attached to shaft 132 the cam member 134 is driven with rotation of gear member 92 and shaft 47.

The subject timing mechanism 34 can be utilized to automatically initiate the recycling function, or manual means can be employed to accomplish this, as desired. For automatic operation, there is another gear train driven by gear member '92 and consisting of gear members 124, 128, 138 and 140. The latter gear member is operable to engage and rotate gear member 142 and drive shaft 144 whenever gear member 142 is rotated slightly. Such physical movement of gear member 142 is accomplished either manually by rotation of knob 158 or automatically by engagement of extension 122a of actuator 122 and one of the arms 15011 of wheel 150. However, the resulting rotation of wheel 150 does not effect rotation of gear member 142 unless the appropriate one of the adjustable tabs 156 is depressed.

Thus, if it is desired to have the recycling function occur at 1:00 oclock am. on Monday, the actuator 122 is positioned as indicated in FIGURE 1 and the adjustable tab 156 adjacent the indicia MON is depressed. The when actuator 122 engages the appropriate one of the arms 150a at 1:00 a.m., the adjustable MON tab 156 engages tab 1420 of gear member 142. That is, if the day is Monday, the appropriate MON tab 156 will engage the tab 1420 so as to rotate gear member 142 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 6 of the drawings.

Once this occurs, the drive means to gear member 140 continues the rotation of gear member 142 for 360 degrees. This, of course, effects similar rotation of shaft 144 so that the entire cycle is caused to take place during that time, and the gear member 142 and tab 142a thereon are thereby returned to their initial positions.

In the event the MON tab 156 in not depressed, the tab 142a on gear member 142 is not engaged and hence such gear is not rotated into engagement with gear member 140.

As above explained, the cam member 134 is rotated continuously. Periodically it engages actuator 16201 of switch 162 to effectively close the electrical contacts thereof. This arrangement is shown most clearly in FIGURE 4 of the drawings where cam member 134 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction for engagement With actuator 1620. Referring to FIGURE 7 of the drawings, it is seen that the contacts of switch 162 are in circuit with motor 34 and battery 32. Thus, whenever the cam member 134 closes said contacts the motor 34 is energized to rotate shaft 46 relative to shaft 47 to effect winding of the spring 58.

However, to insure that motor 34 is rotated for only a predetermined maximum period of time, the control device 164 is provided. Thus, upon closure of the contacts of switch 162, heater 144a is energized in parallel circuit arrangement with motor 34, the latter being in series with bimetallic element 164 b. Ultimately, heater 16411 is sufficiently energized for the proper length of time to cause bimetallic element 16% to deform and move away from stationary contacts 1640. When this occurs, motor 34 is de-energized even though cam member 134 may be holding the contacts of switch 162 in closed position. Suitable adjustment means in the form of adjustment screw 164d may be provided for varying the amount of heat required in bimetallic element 164b to effect opening of the contacts associated therewith.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides selfpowered drive means having portable source of power 32 for driving an electric motor 34. It is realized that substantially any type of portable electrical power may be employed such as the storage battery 32 shown in the drawings or solar cells and the like.

Although we have shown and described certain specific embodiments of our invention, we are fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. Our invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A self-powered drive means for use with recycling water softening apparatus and the like comprising in combination, electrically operated motive power means, timing apparatus for connection with said recycling apparatus to periodically initiate recycling thereof, power transmission means operatively interposed between said' motive power means and said timing apparatus comprising a drive spring to he wound by said motive power means and connected to said timing apparatus to drive the latter, portable source of electrical power for energizing said motive power means, and control means interposed between said source and said motive power means connected to said timing apparatus to periodically connect said source to said motive power means to wind said drive spring for a predetermined time interval, whereby said timing apparatus can be driven continuously for periodic recycling of said apparatus.

2. Self-powered drive means for use with recycling water softening apparatus and the like according to claim 1 wherein said spring is a spiral torsion spring on a shaft driven by said motive power means.

3. Self-powered drive means for use with recycling water softening apparatus and the like according to claim 2, wherein said power transmission comprises a governor for controlling the rate at which said drive spring drives said timing apparatus.

4. Self-powered drive means for use with recycling water softening apparatus and the like according to claim 3, wherein said motive power means is an electrically energizable motor and said portable source of power therefor is a battery adjacent thereto.

5. Self-powered drive means for use with recycling water softening apparatus and the like according to claim 3 wherein said control means comprises a control device for insuring that said motor is electrically energized for only a predetermined period of time to insure that said drive spring is sufficiently wound but is not wound beyond a predetermined maximum.

6. Self-powered drive means for use with recycling water softening apparatus and the like according to claim 5, wherein said control means comprises a microswitch in circuit with said motor and said battery to periodically effect energization of said motor, and an actuator drivingly connected to said timing apparatus and operable to periodically move said microswitch to close circuit position to connect said battery to said motor.

7. Self-powered drive means for use with recycling water softening apparatus and the like according to claim 6, wherein said actuator is a cam member driven by said timing apparatus and associated with said switch to periodically effect closure thereof.

8. Self-powered drive means for use with recycling water softening apparatus and the like according to claim 7, wherein said timing apparatus comprises selector means permitting selection of the frequency of recycling of said water softening apparatus as driven by said drive spring.

No references cited.

MILTON KAUFMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SELF-POWERED DRIVE MEANS FOR USE WITH RECYCLING WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MOTIVE POWER MEANS, TIMING APPARATUS FOR CONNECTION WITH SAID RECYCLING APPARATUS TO PERIODICALLY INITIATE RECYCLING THEREOF, POWER TRANSMISSION MEANS OPERATIVELY INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS AND SAID TIMING APPARATUS COMPRISING A DRIVE SPRING TO BE WOUND BY SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS AND CONNECTED TO SAID TIMING APPARATUS TO DRIVE THE LATTER, PORTABLE SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL POWER FOR ENERGIZING SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS, AND CONTROL MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID SOURCE AND SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID TIMING APPARATUS TO PERIODICALLY CONNECT SAID SOURCE TO SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS TO WIND SAID DRIVE SPRING FOR A PREDETERMINED TIME INTERVAL, WHEREBY SAID TIMING APPARATUS CAN BE DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY FOR PERIODIC RECYCLING OF SAID APPARATUS. 